Hurricanes NCAA prospects update

By Glen Jackson

March 2nd, 2006

The ‘Canes NCAA prospects all reside on the blue line

Jack Johnson, D Freshman – (6’1, 206 lbs)

1st round,third overall in 2005

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

Michigan

33

9

21

28

143

Johnson hasmade a suitably large splash as a freshman with the Michigan Wolverines thisseason. The best defenseman in the 2005 draft crop, Johnson is currently tiedfor 21st in overall league scoring, he’s fourth in power playpoints, and he’s second in points for both defensemen and freshmen.

Hisphysical play has also been very evident statistically as he has 143 penaltyminutes, almost 18 percent of the Wolverines entire penalty minute total, awhopping 4.33 per game.

Johnsonplayed for the U.S. World Junior team in December and January and had one goaland five assists in seven games, but he was also the most penalized player inthe tournament with 45 minutes. That total was aided by an incident at the endof the game versus Canada when he picked up 25 of those minutes in one playafter he took a shot at Canada’s Steve Downie following an empty net goal forCanada.

Johnson isan intimidating blue line presence and his rough edge is just a part of astrong game that includes his ability to contribute offensively.

Michigan isthird in the CCHA, and as soon as the team wraps up its season, Johnson can,and likely will be, signed and moved into the NHL.

Casey Borer, D Junior (6’2, 197 lbs)

3rd round,69th overall in 2004

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

St. Cloud

34

2

8

10

24

Borer iscaptain of the Huskies and is one of the team’s top two defensemen. Adefensive-minded blueliner, Borer has continued to develop well and exudesconfidence on the ice with his expanded leadership role. He’s the type ofplayer to lead by example.

Although hecan play physical, he isn’t “in your face” like Johnson, but rather he does allparts of his job well and is the type of player whose work might go unnoticedby the casual fan.

Nate Hagemo, D Sophomore (5’11, 189 lbs)

2nd round,58th overall in 2005

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

Minnesota

3

0

0

0

6

Hagemoplayed the first three games of the season before a shoulder/neck injury heldhim out of the lineup for the Golden Gophers and he hasn’t appeared since.Hagemo is a hard working defenseman who had two goals and eight assists lastseason. Although he brings a fair bit to the table, his injury troubles andtheir effect on his development is becoming an increasing concern.

Tyson Strachan, D Junior (6’3, 205 lbs)

5th round,174th overall in 2003

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

Ohio State

23

3

2

5

37

Strachan isanother ‘Canes NCAA prospect with some injury troubles. Strachan broke hiswrist on Jan. 13 and missed games because of it, and last season he missed timedue to a knee injury.

Prior tojoining the Buckeyes, Strachan displayed some offensive talent in the BCHL withthe Vernon Vipers, but he has yet to show he can contribute much offense at theNCAA level. As a defensive defenseman, however, Strachan is hard checker whouses his large frame well, working hard and playing smart.

TheBuckeyes will be opening the playoffs this weekend against Ferris State withoutStrachan, but he’s expected to return to the lineup soon.

Tim Kunes, D Freshman (6’1, 170 lbs)

5th round,145th overall in 2005

Team

GP

G

A

PTS

PIM

Boston College

27

1

3

4

31

Kunes is inhis first year with the Boston College Eagles and the two-way defenseman hasonly a goal and three assists in 27 games thus far. He’s part of a very youngblue line at BC – four of the six are freshmen. Last season Kunes had 40 points in 50 games for NewEngland of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. With his freshman experience inplace the ‘Canes will be hoping that Kunes can grow into a bigger role with theEagles next season.